Electrical switch



Dec. 3, 1929. w. H FABR-EY 1,737,924-

ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Nov. 29, 1927 Patented Dec. 3, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT oral-cs WILLIAM H FAIBBEY, OF SCHENECTADY NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB 1'0 WEBER ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION 01' NEW YORK ELECTRICAL SWITCH Application filed November 29, 1927. Serial No. 288,518.

This invention relates to useful improve ments in electrical switches, and more particularly to the type known as pull chain switches.

An important object of the invent-ion is to simplify the construction of switchesin a manner which will materially reduce the cost of manufacture and at the same time enable the switch to be assembled more cheaply and rapidly, thereby reducing the cost of production. Briefly, this is accomplished by eliminating the use of highly machined parts which have heretofore been deemed essential to secure the desired cooperation of parts as will be more fully explained in the description.

Ancillary to this first mentioned object is the provision of a construction and arrangement of parts which results in a switch requiring a less number of fastening elements than has been possible heretofore and with no sacrifice of rigidity or excellence of operation, but an advantage in the reduction of time required for assembly and repair work.

A further important object of the invention is to provide means of securing finer adjust ments of the switch, quicker and with less caution.

A still further object is to provide an im-,

proved means for preventing the operating chain from engaging the live contacts of the switch, while at the same time forming a stabilizer or guide for the actuating member.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for limiting the return movement of the switch actuator, which also prevents detachment of the chain from the actuator and eliminates the necessity of that operation in the manufacture of the switch which consists in securing the chain to the actuator.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a more facile and less expensive means of attaching the stationary contact to the spring contact.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

Referring to the drawing forming a part of the description, and wherein like numerals Figure 5 is a simllar view taken 5'-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a top plan of the switch.

on the line Figure 7 is a plan of the underside of the b Figure 8 is a perspective view of the chain guide with a section of the chain extending therethrough.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of my improved stationar contact piece which is soldered to the spring contact disposed within the socket, and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the anchopl plate for locking in position the chain gm e.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 10 indicates in general what may be termed a casing, support or socket, which includes a base 11 of insulating material and a cap 12 of similar material, both being in the form of blocks of insulating material, secured in spaced relation by means of stationary binding posts 13 and 14 of the usual construction, but having their upper securing portions extended in opposite directions instead of in the same direction as is customary. This arrangement of the securing portions of the two posts is resorted to for a very definite purpose, namely, that of causing the attaching'screws 13 and 14, which extend through the cap 12, to be disposed at diametrically opposite points to ensure a rigid casing for the switch mechanism to be presently described. These two terminal or binding posts 13 and 14 are secured to the base 11 by the usual screws 13", 14"; the post 14 is provided with the lateral stationary contact segment 15, as shown best in Figure 3, for engagement with In previous constructions in the art, this stationary contact has not been extended throu h the base but has been electrically connecte to the spring contact by means of a rivet extending through the base and connecting the stationary switch-contact 'there above to .the lamp contact below the base. Obviously, the soldering of the integral depending part of the stationary contact beneath thebase is a great deal less expensive than the riveting operation heretofore employed.

A chain guide 20, shown in detail in Figure 8, is partly of the usual construction, having its lower edge provided with a laterally extending arcuate finger 21 adapted to be received inan arcuate slot 22 of an anchor plate23 secured in a recess of the base 11 by a screw 24 which extends through the base and top of the threaded socket element 25, as shown best in Figure 5, and is insulated from this socket by any suitable expedient. The anchor plate for the chain guide in previous devices has usually constituted a part of an upright post having a similar anchor extension at bottom and top, the latter for attachment to the cap. In the present construction this guard post is eliminated and the anchoring means for the top end of the chain guide comprises an arcuate slot 26 formed directly in the underface of the cap 12 and opening into the periphery thereof, as best shown in Fi ures 5 and 7 The areuate formation of t e groove or slot 26 resists radial outward movement of the bell guide, and thus the slot assists the anchor,

plate in the bottom block in retaining the guide in position. The upper portion of the chain guide 20 is provided with a lateral inwardly extending tongue 27, which terminates in an angularly disposed upstanding finger 28, adapted to be moved into the arcuate slot 26 simultaneously with the insertion of the finger 21 into the slot 22 when the guide 20 is assembled with the cap and base.

It will be noted that the chain guide, in

V previous constructions, is arranged diametrically opposite the contact terminal post 13, but in such devices, due to their having the upper anchor plate of the guards'secured to the cap by a screw extending therethrough,

' it has not been possible to extend the screws of the two stationary contacts through the cap at diametrically opposite points as in the present invention, since the screw and .spin le of former rota having a slotted head 0 angular outline and upper anchor late would be inthe way of the screw for t e contact terminal post.

A rotary sna switch mechanism of the usual type emp oyed in pull chain switches is emplo ed in the present construction, but several 0 anges have been made in its mounting in order to reduce the cost of manufacture and assembly of the parts thereof, as well as to facilitate and make possible finger adjustments of the spring employed for returning the movable contact of the switch to a redetermined off position. For the switch mechanisms hi hl machined, I have substituted plain cy in rical pin 29 adapted to have its ends mounted in aligned plain cylindrical hearing recesses in the base and ca In prior switches of. this type this spin le has been seated on a coiled spring mounted within the bearing in the base member and has been provided with a screw head requiring careful machining to square the same so that it will fit in a s uared socket in the cap, and this screw .hea has been further provided with an opening for the reception of one end of a coiled spring. This construction has.

been resorted to in the previous manufacture of these switches inorder to provide for sprmg tension adjustment obtained by depressing the spindle so as to withdraw its ly, finer adjustments than a quarter turn could not be made in view of the head of the spindle being squared to fit a correspond inglfi shaped recess. 7

e present construction eliminates the necessity of this careful machining and perforation of the spindle head to receive the spring and also accurate formation of the squared socket in the cap piece by providing the under surface of the cap with a semi-circular series of ratchet teeth 30, asbest shown in Figure 7, which are arranged concentric to the bearing recess for the spindle 29. A coiled spring 31 surrounds the spindle 29 in the customary manner and has its lower end fixed to a segmental switch actuator 32 of the usual construction, while its upper end is extended, as at 33, to span an arcuate slot 34 in the cap 12 arranged concentric to the spindle 29, as best seen in Figures 6 and 7. In this manner, it will be seen that it is an easy matter to adjust the tension of the coil spring 31 to the slightest degree by inserting a pin or other instrument through the arcuate slote 34, and moving the end 33 of the coil spring to the desired ratchet tootl1.30, where it is automatically locked by the tendency of the spring to uncoil.

The segmental switch actuator 32 is, as usual, provided with a ratchet 35 rotatably maaeae movable to actuate a contact disk 36 having the usual two depending arms 36', of the usual construction, in rotating the latter over the ratchet face of the base and live contacts in the well known manner to make and break an electrical circuit. This segmental actuator is also provided with the usual chain attaching clip and guide 37, shown best in Figure 1, which assumes the term of a metallic 1O flanged plate having one end formed with an ofiset portion having a key-hole slot for the reception of the terminal head of a chain 38, which passes through the chain guide in the customary manner. In previous con- ]5 structions it has been'necessary to squeeze this ofiset portion to contract the slot around the terminal head and thereby prevent its detachment from the segmental actuator duringassembly and also in use. To eliminate the operation of the bending of this seat to grasp the terminal head of the chain, I have provided the base 11 with an upstanding integral lug 40, formed of insulating material adjacent the post contact 13 so that the open end of the chain seat provided on the segmental actuator will abut this lug and limit return or retrograde movement of the actuator 32, and at the same time prevent accidental detachment of the head from its seat.

In order to prevent the chain from contacting with the live contacts of the switch, an arcuate plate 41 of insulating material is provided and has its lower longitudinal edge seated within an arcuate recess in the base 11 inwardly of the main guide 20, it being noted in Figures, 3 and 5, that this piece of insulation is provided with an openin tor the reception of an edge or corner ot the anchor plate 23 to prevent accidental displacement of the former. It will also be observed that this arcuate plate or guard ll is arranged concentric to the axis of the segmental actuator 32 and is positioned so as to form a guide or stabilizer for the movements of the actuator.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that the switch mechanism can be more rapidly assembled than previous constructions, inasmuch as it is unnecessary to exercise any care in positioning the cap 12 upon the upper end of the spindle 29 and only two screws are necessary for attaching the cap, whereas three have been necessary in the past. Furthermore, it will be seen that the very slightest adjustments of the coil spring 31 can be eilected by merely inserting'a suitable tool or pin through the arcuate slot 34 to .move the free end of the spring 33 to the desired ratchet tooth 30, whereas with previous switches it has been necessary to employ a screw driver or similar tool for depressing the spindle and giving it a turn, which, of necessity must be through ninety degrees 65 (90) in view of the square. shape of the spindle head. In many cases this ninety de gree (90) turn of the switch is an excessive adjustment, which not only interferes with the smoothest operation of the switch, but diminishes the life of the spring.

lit is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of the various parts ma be resorted to without departing from t e spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

1. An electric switch comprising a casing having a slot, a switch mechanism including a spindle mounted in said casing, a switch actuator mounted on said spindle, and a coil, spring mounted on said spindle with one end engaging said actuator and its other end engaging said casing and spanning said slot to be accessible tor adjustment.

2. An electric switch comprising a casin having an arcuate slot, a set of teeth on sai casing adjacent said slot, a switch mechanism mounted in said casing and including a spindle, a switch actuator mounted thereon, and a coil spring mounted on said spindle with one end engaging said actuator and its other end adjustably on aging said teeth and spanning said slot to e accessible for adjustment.

3. A pull chain switch comprising a pair of blocks storming a base and a cap, said cap having a groove formed directly therein, a switch mechanism positioned between the base and cap, a pull chain for operating the switch, a chain guide having a finger received in said groove in said cap, a binding post arranged substantially diametrically opposite said guide, a second binding post, and a pair of screws extending into said cap at substantially diametrically opposite points for securing said posts in place, said posts both being secured to the other-block and thereby serving to hold the blocks together.

a, A pull chain switch comprising a support, a spring retrieved rotary switch mechanism mounted thereon, a pull chain for operating the same, a chain guide having an anchoring finger, an anchor late having a slot for engagement with said nger, and a guard member arranged adjacent said guide and formed for the reception of a portion of said anchor plate.

5. A pull chain, switch comprising a support, a spring retrieved rotary switch mechanism mounted thereon, and including a segmental actuator, a pull chain for operating the same, a chain guide and a fixed arcuate guard wall arranged ad acent said guide and forming a guide for said segmental actuator, said guard member being formed independently of said guide and support.

6. An electric switchcomprising a pair of spaced blocks, switch mechanism including a coil spring arranged to be tensioned upon operation of the switch mechanism, a plurality of spaced seats on one of said blocks adapted to receive selectively an end of said spring and to anchor the same, said last mentioned block being fprmed with an opening extending through the block and through which the spring may be engaged to move the spring end from one seat to another.

7 An electric switch comprising a pair of spaced blocks, switch mechanism including a coil spring arranged to be tensioned upon operation of the switch mechanism, and a plurality of teeth forming spaced seats on 8. An electric switch comprising a pair of spaced blocks, switch mechanism including a coil spring arranged to be tensioned upon operationof the switch mechanism, a plurality of teeth forming spaced seats on one of said blocks adapted to receive selectively an end of said spring and to anchor the same, said last mentioned block being formed with an opening extending through the block and through which the spring may be engaged A to move the end from one seat to another.

9. An electricswitch comprising a pair of spaced blocks, a switch mechanism including a coil sprin arranged to be tensioned upon operation 0 the swltch mechanism, a plurality of teeth forming spaced seats on one of said blocks adapted to receive selectively an end of said s ring and to anchor'the same, said last mentloned block being formed with an opening extending through the block and spanned by the spring through which opening the spring may be engaged to move the spring end from one seat to another.

10. An electric switch comprising a pair of insulating blocks forming a base and a 7 cap, a rotary snap switch mechanism mounted therebetween, a pair of binding osts arranged between said blocks and serving to secure the same together, and a pair of screws opposite points, said binding screw, the portlons of the posts havarranged in substantially diametrically opposed relation for securing said posts to one of said blocks, the binding portion of said posts being spaced substantially less than 180.

11. A pull chain switch-comprising a pair of blocks of insulating material forming a base and a cap, a switch mechanism ositioned between the base and cap, a pull c ain for operating the switch mechanism, a chain guide, cally opposite said guide, a second binding post between the guide and first mentioned post, and screws securing said posts to one of said blocks and arranged at diametrically osts each having a in the binding screws-bein spaced substantuflly less than 180, and oth posts being secured to the other block and thereby servbetween said blocks, a pull chain for operating said switch mechanisni and a mouth for said chain having a hooked nger portion for anchoring the same, an anchor plate secured to one of said blocks having a slot adapted to receive said finger portion and thereby secure the guide in position, a second finger portion on said guide, the other of said blocks being formed directly with a groove to receive directly said second finger portion, said groove being formed so as to resist radial outward movement of the bell mouth from the block. I

13. A pull chain switch comprising a support, a spring retrieved rotary switch mechanism mounted thereon, a pull chain for operating the same, a chain guide, means secured to said su port for the attachment of said chain gui e, and a stationary chain guard uide member formed independently of said guide my hand.

WILLIAM H. FABREY.

a binding post substantially diametri- 

